2015 Lamborghini Huracan: The Much Anticipated Successor To The Gallardo

Lamborghini just unveiled the successor to their super-successful Gallardo sports car, which also happens to be their most-produced model with over 14,000 sales. The new replacement model has been dubbed Huracan (pronounced ‘ooh-ra-cahn’).

The updated sports car maintains the same 5.2-liter V-10 engine of the Gallardo, but is tuned to provide better performance at 610 brake horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque. Other features include a four-wheel drive, a top speed of over 202mph, and 0-62mph in 3.2 seconds.

The Huracan replaces the outgoing Gallardo, which was introduced in 2003 and has already undergone two updates over the years. The 5.2-liter V-10 engine will be powered by a direct-injection fuel pump, and the four-wheel drive which will be coupled with an improved seven-speed, dual-clutch transmission system; a first for a Lamborghini.

The car is slated to be launched at the Geneva Motor Show in March next year, when it will go head to head with McLaren 12C and Ferrari 458. In comparison to its competition, the Huracan is sits neatly wedged between the 458 and the 12C, which deliver a maximum power output of 562bhp and 616bhp respectively.

The new dual-clutch gearbox ensures that the transmission is smooth and snappy, enabling the car to zoom past 62mph is just over three seconds. It is expected that the transmission system shares much in common with Audi’s ‘S tronic’ setup, which was first employed in the revised R8 last year. It is interesting to note that both Audi and Lamborghini are owned by the same parent company: Volkswagen.

The Huracan also uses what Lamborghini nicknames a ‘hybrid chasis,’ which is an integrated spaceframe structure composed of aluminum and carbon. As a result, the Huracan is able to achieve a dry weight of just 1,422kg, which coupled with the increased power launches it to an unbelievable top speed of ‘over 202mph.’

As far as braking is concerned, Lamborghini has decided to go with carbon ceramic brakes as the standard. An optional feature offered with the car includes variable magnetorheological suspension, the same technology seen in Ferrari F12 and Audi R8.

Coming to the looks department, the Huracan is more subdued than its predecessor, with Lamborghini opting for a more curved, and perhaps a better aerodynamic design. However, it still retains its edginess over its competitors.

Keeping with the tradition, Lamborghini has named the car after a famous bull. As per Lambo, Huracan was a famed and invincible fighting bull that fought with defiance in Alicante in 1979. Alternatively, Huracan is also Spanish for “Hurricane,” which seems apt for a sports car such as this.

Lamborghini hasn’t given details about the car’s price nor its availability as of yet. However, considering the fact that it will make its debut in March at the Geneva Motor Show, it should trickle down into customer’s hands soon thereafter.